t was 2009 when I bought my first “nice” camera, a Canon Rebel. I tinkered around with it, photographing landscapes and scenery. It never even occurred to me that it could one day be my career, let alone that I could document the most important day in a couple’s life together.

In 2010, I started my business. I remember at the time feeling so alone and unwelcome into this industry. No one wanted me here. If they would’ve given me advice, I would’ve become their competition. I learned a lot on my own. It was from mistakes, trial and error, and a long road of discovery, but I pushed through the feeling of loneliness and kept trying.

In 2012, I started using ShowIt for my website design and was instantly connected with a worldwide group of over 2,500 photographers also using ShowIt. (We call ourselves Showiteers. Hah!) Being in this group of photographers has changed my outlook on this industry. I’ve made thousands of friends from across the globe who I haven’t even met yet in person. I’ve asked for advice and given advice. This is a community of photographers that is intent on serving, learning, teaching, and helping each other.

Gone are the days when we kept everything we learned tucked to ourselves. No one wants to be a copy of another photographer anyway! We all want to create our own mark in the world and in our clients’ lives, we all want to be unique. So the reason we need each other is because we can learn from each other; not steal from each other.

In the last 6 months, I’ve been mulling around the idea of giving back in an even bigger way. I wanted to do some kind of mentoring or coaching, but I didn’t have a specific plan in mind yet. I just I knew it was something I wanted to do. At the same time, I struggled with self-doubt. What could I possibly have to teach? What could anyone learn from me? Am I qualified? No one will take me seriously.

Then I started getting a few emails, a few Facebook messages, and a few random run-ins here and there. Other photographers saying they read my blog, they’d love to pick my brain, they’d love to get together. For some reason, that still didn’t convince me. Not until Jackee emailed me and straight-up asked if I’d ever consider doing a mentoring session did it occur to me that this was something I couldn’t ignore or put off any longer.

So earlier this week, I opened my home to Jackee and we drank coffee and talked about business.

There is something so refreshing about helping others!!

Jackee is a new photographer; she started her business this spring. We could’ve spent at least a day talking! And I realized, it’s not that I have to have all the answers. Which was one of my fears; because I don’t have everything figured out! Who does?? It’s just that I must be willing to share what God has blessed me with.

Thanks, Jackee, for meeting with me and for reminding me what a blessing it is to give back.

**If you’re a photographer and would like to set up a coaching session with me, email me at emily@emilycrall.com. In-person and Skype/FaceTime sessions are available.**